Crystal River current. [volume] (Crystal, Colo.) 1886-18??, 1887-07-30

ward daughter. and thought IL was
impossible to be constantly at her side,
still l lowered near enough to see every
motion on her part. What puzzled me
\ most was the fact that, contrary to our
expectation. she made no motion to
leave the parlors. 1t was long past
2 o'clock. The dancers had tired them
selves out and were scattered here and
there in the dressing rooms. or stood
wrapped and ready to make their
adicux. The time had come, if at all.
when the elopement would be attempts
ed. 1 gradually approached Miss Phil
her. .
| Carriage for the Misses Fenton,"
carriage for Colonel Bellairs.'' scar
rage for Mr.. Parkinson aud ladies'"
cried a number of voices at once, and
q stream Of people streamed down the
broad steps. Miss Philpot languidly
advanced into tho hall. l followed
closely. She was without the prescrib-
ed dark wrap and the tuberoses. She
seemed not to have the slightest idea
of running with Mr.. Pillkins. Was it
all n mistake of the majors excited
fancy after all? ! could not help but
think 50. Still, waited. Miss Phil
brook lifted her head and glanced caus-
ually in my direction. The stream of
people melted away from before her.
AS pushed my way through the crowd
into the broad hall, she stepped near the
wide open door. A roll of carpet had
been laid down the steps and across
ward her, determined to keep her
within reaching distance. At that mo-
ment barouche dashed up. and halted
suddenly opposite Miss Philpot,
Carriage for Catherwood, the door
opened, as if by magic-a tall form
sprang out.
Miss Philpot glided for ward. At that
instant recognized Mr.. Pil1kins. %
mo, you DON'T said I. clutching at
Miss Philpots flowing robe. as she
flew towards him. The filmy dress
gave way in my hands; the carriage
door closed upon her white figure and
the driver put whip to the horses. A
hack stood Lext in line.
FIFTY dollars to you If you follow
and overtako that carriage.'' 1 yelled
10 the driver and jumped into the We
h!ele.
We tore down the street like mad,
leaving Major Ppilpot standing at his
deserted home filing the night mir
with imprecations. The flight and
the pursuit had taking place in much
less time than it takes to tell 1t now
Ii had been almost instantaneous in Its
quickness, and l did not like to be
balk ed at this stage in tho game.
| Where now was revenge, and where,
too where my hundred dollars? Come
what would. | determined at all haz-
ards to overtake the runaway.
| Lay on the whip" cried to my
driver.
''The horses are in dead rum he
answered back. "We amt more than
a half block behind Mr.. Pillkins.''
.'Then you recognized Pillkinsp"
.'Oh, yes.' e tt-1'
Keep 'en in sight. and if they stop
ut ans place, increas your speed and
catch up with them.'
| We raced down Broad street, turned
the corner of Fourth. and headed for
the river.
| Where can that Internal fellow be
going?" thought. watching anxious
ly the carriage as it dashed over the
road in advance Of us. We chased
them for nearly an hour. when per.
neived that we were gaining percsptt
bly,. The driver OF the barouche MOTTO
ed it and pulled up suddenly in the
middle OF the road.
|
fellows are racing me for this time of
night" cried he. ~. = -
| Il want Miss Philpot." l retorted,
| jumping down down and opening the
door of the barouche.
The driver laughed sardonically.
you won't lind her here.'
The night was nearly as light as day.
the moon shining so brightly that one
mi ht almost hive read print without
glasses, precluding the idea OF her hav-
ing escaped from the carriage without
my knowledge. l-. -F
Miss Philpot' says l, putting my
head inside the carriage, You must
return to your father.
The carriage was empty; Miss Phil
pot was not here-nor yet Mr., Pillkins,
either. 'l. f-
| was confounded. .y ,f..Hl
| ''What hocus-pocus work is thisp" /
cried, angrily. she was here. for 1
saw her enter this very vehicle an hour
ago."
The driver laughed again; a quizzing.
hateful laugh. that made me long to
knock him down ..-
'tOh, yes, to be sure she was here.
Sho lust got in at one side of this here
coach and she immediately jumped out
at the other side. as per arrangement.
And that there Pillkins had a big water
proof that he slipped over her white ball
dress and slipped her into a gig as was
waiting for 'em at the corner. And
they are man an wife by this time. in
spite of all the detectives in Illinoy. Pill
kins gave me twenty dollars 10 race off
here and lead sou wild-goose chase,
| and I'm burned il it hasn't been the
| the best joke in the business to see you
smart Alexis fooled SO neatly. Horror
for Pillkins y .S
1t was enough to make any man
swear, and | swore curses not only
loud but deep.
Both the drivers laughed.
..I'u take my fifty dollars, Mr.